Chapter 15
“I’m so glad you could join us,” Martha Turner declared as Roman helped Judith into the back of an old buckboard.
If her grandfather saw this, Judith knew he’d be absolutely appalled.
That the granddaughter of James Ashton Sr. should ride around in the back of a wagon like freight would have caused him great displeasure.
“Sit here by me, Judith,” Claudette said, patting the wooden seat. Someone had thoughtfully built a bench behind the driver’s seat, and it was to there that Judith made her way.
Judith noted the barrels and crates all around them. “What is all this?” she asked, looking to Claudette.
“Supplies. These are some of the things Roman was able to buy with the money you donated. We’ll use it all at the orphans’ home. It seems like a lot, but it really isn’t. Not when it comes to helping so many children.”
Judith nodded. Yesterday after church, Martha had invited her to come along on a trip to lend a hand with the children.
It seemed there was an outbreak of scarlet fever, and the two Sisters who ran the place were quite desperate.
Judith had eagerly agreed to help, assuring Roman that she’d had the disease as a youngster and knew it was rare to catch it a second time.
Roman paid the toll and drove the buckboard across the river while his mother explained what they might be up against. “It’s not a formal orphanage, but rather something that’s been cobbled together by a few well-meaning folks.
Roman attends to the medical needs along with his good friend Dr. Lester. ”
“And how many children are being cared for?” Judith asked, glancing over her shoulder.
“At present, there are ten,” Roman replied.
“They range in age from infants to twelve years old. A farm family is about to adopt the twelve-year-old. His parents were killed in the Dakota War. He was just four years old, and his mother managed to hide him during the attack. He still sometimes has nightmares.”
“I can’t imagine being so young and watching your parents be killed.” Judith offered a silent prayer for the boy.
“The people who are adopting him were friends of his folks. They managed to leave the area when the war started. They didn’t return until just last year.
When they learned about Samuel’s plight, they came forward with the request to have him become a part of their family. I think it will be healing for all.”
“That’s wonderful. He will have people around who knew his family and can share stories and keep their memory alive.”
Judith couldn’t help but feel sorry for the child, however. It had been hard enough to lose her parents as an adult. How terrible for a young one to have his family taken from him in such a violent manner.
When they finally arrived at the house, Judith wasn’t impressed. It was just a little two-story wood house. It hardly seemed big enough to house the two nuns, much less an additional ten children. The barn in back of the house was bigger.
Roman parked the wagon near the back door, then led the way to the front.
He knocked and waited until one of the Sisters came to answer.
The older woman who appeared walked with a limp but gave Roman a radiant smile.
“It was good of you to come, Dr. Turner. I’m afraid some of the children are gravely ill, but blessed be the name of the Lord. ”
“I’ve brought a great many supplies. We’ll start unloading them in a moment, but first I’d like you to meet someone.
You of course know my mother and sister.
” The women nodded and smiled at one another.
“This is our friend, Mrs. Stanford. She’s quite active with a variety of charities in Philadelphia and wanted to join us in helping here today. ”
“We’re grateful for all the help we can get,” the woman explained. “I’m Sister Agnes. I work here with Sister Ann.”
“I’m pleased to meet you.” Judith took hold of Sister Agnes’s hand and just held it a moment. “And I’m very glad to help you in any way I can.”
“We have a great deal of need. Some of the children have grown quite ill. I fear they simply haven’t the strength to endure.”
Judith fought to keep from frowning. The idea of children dying was always difficult to consider. She looked to Roman, hoping he might have something to say.
“We will see what we can do to get them back on the road to recovery,” Roman offered. “Is Mr. Brannon here to help with unloading?”
“He is in the barn. I’d be surprised if he hasn’t already started unloading.”
“Wonderful. Now, I want you and Sister Ann to go and rest. We will be here for a couple of hours, and during that time, you both should nap.”
“Oh dear, no. We couldn’t do that.”
“I’m the doctor, and it’s what I believe you need to do in order to remain healthy.” He gave her a smile. “A short rest will do you good. I’m guessing you and Sister Ann have been getting nothing more than the briefest of sleep.”
“God provides the strength we need. We trust Him for our rest.” She had a perfect expression of peace on her face.
“All right, let’s get the wagon unloaded.
Show us where you want the supplies.” Roman looked at Judith and winked.
“While I unload things, I’ll pray that God convinces you that rest is in your best interest. Mother, why don’t you go with Sister Agnes and see that we have plenty of hot water and towels available.
Claudette, you come with Judith and me.”
Judith hid her smile as they moved out to return to the wagon. She liked the way Roman managed things. He treated people with great respect but was firm in the way he thought things ought to be done.
“Mr. Brannon,” Roman said as they reached the wagon. “I’m certainly glad you’re here to help. We had a generous donor provide all of this, and I knew I’d need your help with unloading it.”
The older man straightened and dusted off his pant legs. “I’m glad to lend a hand with this. I’ve been digging a root cellar all morning, and it’ll be good to do something different.” He reached up to grab a large crate and hoisted it to his shoulder. “Just follow me.”
Judith, Claudette, and Roman made several trips along with Mr. Brannon.
They brought the supplies into a small room that had been added to the back of the house.
There were numerous shelves, some rather bare.
Judith noted there were stacks of towels and washcloths on one, rolled bandages and other medical supplies on another.
What looked to be homemade soap was stacked on another shelf, along with jars of what she figured was soft soap.
The sisters had everything neatly organized, including one entire wall of various food goods. These were some of the shelves that looked rather empty.
“We’ve enough flour, sugar, and oats to keep you for a month or more,” Roman said when Sister Agnes appeared again. “There’s also an order of pork to be delivered tomorrow and a dozen laying hens.”
“Oh, wonderful. We will certainly appreciate that. Some of the older hens have stopped laying, and I’m afraid they’re headed to the soup pot,” the sister said, smiling.
“Now we will go and check on the children. These things can be unpacked by my mother and sister.” He looked to Claudette, who nodded with enthusiasm.
“We’ll have it all put away in no time,” his sister replied as their mother joined them.
“There’s plenty of hot water on the stove, Roman. And Sister Agnes has a stack of towels on the table. Washcloths too.”
“I’ve also put a basin of washing-up water in each room and a bar of soap. I know you said it was important to wash our hands.”
“Wonderful. I’ll grab my things, and we’ll go visit the children.” He went to where he’d left the large black bag.
Judith took that moment to retrieve her apron from the wagon.
She drew it on over her head and tied a big bow in back.
She wasn’t really all that sure what to expect.
She knew how things were ordered in Philadelphia at the state-owned children’s home, but here with this private institution it might be completely different.
“We should start here with the infants,” Sister Agnes said, taking them down the hall. “There are four, and they’re all very sick. I fear one or two might not make it through the night.”
She opened the door to a simple but adequate room. There were cribs against the far and side walls. A single rocking chair was situated in the middle of the room, and a changing table and two dressers were against the wall to the right of the door.
Judith felt her heart go out to these little ones who had no way of explaining how bad they felt. Nor could they understand what was wrong with them.
Roman started with the first infant. The head of the crib had a card that read Baby Boy 1.
With practiced precision, Roman unwrapped the blanket that had been used to swaddle him and drew him out.
The poor child was wearing just a diaper, making it easy for Judith to see he was covered in a red rash.
The infant whimpered but seemed to have little energy to do more.
The examination was quick but thorough. Roman’s expression showed he wasn’t at all happy with the state of the baby. “We need to bring the fever down. He’s quite warm. Sister Agnes, I see you aren’t resting. Would you bring the little wash basin you use for the babies? Fill it with tepid water.”
The nun immediately left. Judith looked to Roman. “What can I do?”
“Bring the lamp.” Roman took a tongue depressor and forced the baby’s mouth open. “Shine it here so I can better see his throat.”
Judith did as he asked, but the affect wasn’t all that helpful. She remembered a story she’d heard from one of the doctors in Philadelphia. He told of a time when he’d had to perform surgery in the home of one of his patients. “A mirror. We need a mirror.”
“Why?”
“So I can reflect a pinpoint of light to where you need it. I saw it done in Philadelphia.”
“Claudette has a mirror. It’s in a little case Daniel gave her. She keeps it in her purse.”